VCE Systems and Technology and VCE Physics: Table of electronic symbols
In response to requests from teachers the VCAA has produced a table of commonly used
electronic symbols. Practicing teachers have provided advice in the selection of recommended
and alternative symbols that appear in the table. Students may expect to see either the
recommended or alternative symbols on the VCE Physics and VCE Systems and Technology
examination papers. Teachers and students are likely to encounter the symbols shown in the
table, and other symbols, in other publications. Teachers are encouraged to ensure students are
flexible in their understanding and recognition of electronic symbols.
From the table, individual symbols may be selected, cut or copied and pasted into other
documents and may assist teachers in the preparation of tests, revision sheets and drawing
circuit diagrams.
Using the Graphic Select Tool
, select the image you want, right click and select Copy.
You will then be able to paste the image in to a Microsoft Word document.
Note: The pasted image will not be as clear as the original image in the PDF.
The recommended symbols are provided in their acceptable orientation/s. The orientation of all
symbols can be changed once pasted into Microsoft Word using the Drawing commands Rotate
Left, Rotate Right, Flip Vertical or Flip Horizontal.
Enquiries regarding the table should be directed to:
Technology Manager, Lorraine Tran (03) 9651 4407 or tran.lorraine.i@edumail.vic.gov.au
Science Manager, Neil Champion (03) 9651 4655 or champion.neil.d@edumail.vic.gov.au
VCAA
1
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY AND VCE PHYSICS
Electric and electronic symbols for VCE Systems and Technology and VCE Physics
For each component a recommended symbol is shown in its normally accepted orientation/s, i.e. vertically and/or horizontally. In
electronics there is a longstanding convention to show most components with a vertical orientation and for the circuit to read from the
source or input on the left to the output or remaining circuit on the right. Other alternative symbols that may be encountered are also
shown. Notes include relevant acceptance of symbol.
Component
group
sources
Component
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
cell
battery,
DC power supply
variable DC power
supply
AC power supply
resistors
VCAA
Alternative symbol now
regarded as outdated.
resistor
2
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
variable resistor,
potentiometer,
voltage divider
A variable resistor where
the variation is achieved by
use of a sliding contact.
variable resistor
A general symbol for a
variable resistor where the
means of variation is not
specified.
light-dependent
resistor (LDR)
filament globe
thermistor
fuse
VCAA
3
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
capacitors
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
(non-polarised)
capacitor
variable capacitor
polarised capacitor,
electrolytic capacitor
transformers
iron-cored
transformer
(one secondary
winding)
iron-cored
transformer
(one secondary
winding –
centre-tapped)
iron-cored
transformer
(two secondary
windings)
VCAA
4
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
diodes
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
Additional alternative
symbols for all diodes
include those where the
single straight-line section
of the symbol is shown as
a heavier line.
junction diode
Zener diode
photo diode
light-emitting diode
(LED)
VCAA
5
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
diode bridge
There are alternative forms
using the other alternative
symbols for the junction
diode given above.
(Note that in an earlier version of
this table, this symbol was
incorrectly represented.)
transistors
Additional alternative
symbols for all transistors
include those where the
vertical straight-line section
of the symbol is shown as
a heavier line.
Both orientations of the
recommended symbol are
used depending on
whether the emitter (E) is
at the bottom or top.
npn transistor
C
C
B
B
E
E
pnp transistor
C
C
B
B
E
E
E
E
B
B
C
C
n-type junction field
effect transistor
(NJFET)
D
G
S
p-type junction field
effect transistor
(PJFET)
S
D
G
S
VCAA
D
G
6
D
G
S
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
integrated
circuits
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
integrated circuit (IC)
1
8
1
8
1
8
2
7
2
7
2
7
3
6
3
6
3
6
4
5
4
5
4
5
1
8
7
3
4
switches
Notes
This example shows an IC
with 8 connections. Others
occur, e.g. 14 and 16.
Under alternative symbols
identifying marks are
shown to indicate the
numbering of the
connections.
Other conventions show
only the connections used
in a given circuit, here 1, 3,
4, 7 and 8.
single pole, single
throw (SPST) switch
single pole, double
throw (SPDT) switch
double pole, single
throw (DPST) switch
double pole, double
throw (DPDT) switch
VCAA
7
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
normally open
(NO) switch
normally closed
(NC) switch
relay
meters
ammeter
A
A
V
V
A
voltmeter
VCAA
V
8
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
The alternative symbol is
not recommended as it is
sometimes used to indicate
a generator.
galvanometer
G
Neither of these
encountered symbols is
widely used.
cathode ray
oscilloscope (CRO)
CRO
amplifiers
CRO
voltage amplifier
On the alternative symbol
the two vertical
connections are shown
when it is connected to the
power supply.
operational amplifier
(op amp)
transducers
motor
M
VCAA
Notes
9
M
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
microphone
loudspeaker
logic gates
NOT or invert gate
1
OR gate
≥1
XOR (exclusive OR)
gate
=1
NOR gate
≥1
VCAA
10
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
AND gate
&
NAND gate
&
flip-flop
T (toggle) flip-flop
Q
Q
T
T
Q
falling edge
triggered
external
connections
Q
rising edge
triggered
earth
aerial
circuit
connections
VCAA
non-connected leads
Alternative symbol
regarded as outdated.
11
AUGUST 2003
ELECTRIC AND ELECTRONIC SYMBOLS
Component
group
Component
VCE SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY/VCE PHYSICS
Recommended symbol
Alternative symbols
Notes
connected leads
dot for junction of
connected leads
VCAA
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AUGUST 2003